The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Part 4: 1

I'd secretly dated Antonio Kaufman, my brother's best friend, for seven years.

I always believed a proposal was inevitable.

Then I discovered he was waiting for his first love to return.

I was a placeholder, a convenient means to an end.

***

I followed Antonio to a bar, eavesdropping on his conversation with friends.

"Antonio, now that your true love is back, what about Grace?" one asked.

Antonio's silence hung heavy in the air.

Another man snickered, "Freddy warned us off his sis... He wouldn't let anyone hurt her."

It was common knowledge.

"Alicia dumped me. I was just trying

her." Antonio finally said, his voice

Alicia Hogan's

Antonio showered me

bolted out in tears,

table, scalding myself and ruining

home, humiliated and hurting,

been forbidden to

a photo of him kissing

me, I called my brother overseas. "About your suggestion of an arranged marriage, I've reconsidered. I'm in!" "Grace, are you alright?" Freddy's voice was

tone. "Fine. I've just been

"When will you be back? You should meet him

need. Let's just do it. The sooner I agree, the sooner the company's problems are solved. Start planning

from now," I

are you still in touch with Antonio? I heard his first love is back. Invite him

tone was serious,

humor.

then: he knew about Alicia. That explained Antonio's insistence on keeping our relationship

voice. "We are not that close

unlock, I quickly said goodbye to

call.

up to meet Antonio's smiling eyes. "Who are you

I flatly replied. He raised an eyebrow and pulled